Beauty: Break bad beauty habits

Sunday Mirror, Jan 2, 2005 by Words: Lynne Michelle.

DO TRY THE COLOUR PURPLE

Alicia Keys' eyes stand out against her pretty violet eye cream. Copy the look with Maybelline Cool Effect Cream Eyecolour in Lilac Freeze, pounds 3.99.

DON'T DO NASTY DARK LINER WITH PALE LIPS

Posh should know better. If you're going for brownish lips, outline them first then feather the pencil across the whole of your lips to avoid a two-tone effect when your lipstick wears off. Clinique's Cream Shaper for Lips in Neutrally, pounds 11, is a great colour and also has a blending brush for a soft finish.

DO UPDATE THE SMOKY EYE LOOK Copy Kate Bosworth - blend blue powder shadow on top of your usual charcoal. It's softer than the classic look and picks out the colour in light eyes (even if they're different colours, like Kate's). Try Barry M Dazzle Dust in 22, pounds 4.50.

DON'TDO YOUR HAIR AND MAKE-UP IN THE DARK...

like Corrie's Lucy-Jo Hudson.

DO LESS IS MORE

Dannii looks better in mascara and gloss than full-on war paint. Copy it with Max Factor Silk Gloss

in Velvet Raspberry, pounds 6.99, and Rimmel Extreme Definition Mascara, pounds 5.99.

DON'T EXTEND IF YOU CAN'T MAINTAIN IT

As Britney proves, your expensive new locks will quickly turn into a knotty mess if you're not prepared to get them tidied regularly. Using products designed especially for extensions, like Racoon Extend Shampoo, pounds 12.50 and Everyday Conditioner, pounds 9.50, will also help keep them in good nick.

DON'TLET YOUR HAIR AGE YOU 10 YEARS

Natasha Kaplinsky looks like a young 40-something rather than her real age - 32! - thanks to her starchy, granny hair. She needs to swap the hard-hold hairspray and crunchy gel for a light-control styler like Wella High Hair Punk Chic, pounds 8.95, which (despite the name) adds soft texture and has a very natural matt finish.

DO KEEP WORKING THE SIDE-SWEPT FRINGE Melanie Sykes looks fab since she updated her hair with a long fringe that softens her face shape and frames her dark eyes. Keep it shiny and in place with John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Hold True Finishing Spray, pounds 4.29.

DON'T

OVERDO SHADING You can't get away with slapping cerise powder on your temples, even if you are Naomi Campbell.

DON'TOVERPLUCK YOUR BROWS

Mary J Blige looks like she's had a fight with a bottle of botox. However, if the worst has already happened, you'll get a more natural effect by filling in the gaps with a matt eyeshadow rather than a pencil. Try L'Oreal Color Appeal in Brun Mat, pounds 4.99.

DOTRY A WIG BEFORE YOU GET A DRAMATIC NEW LOOK FOR REAL

We're betting J.Lo is happy to have her own lustrous locks safely tucked away under this dodgy Pat Butcher syrup.

DO TRY TO APPLY YOUR LIPSTICK ON YOUR LIPS, NOT ALL OVER YOUR FACE

Especially if you have a massive gob, like Amy Winehouse.

DO COVER UP IF YOU'RE PRONE TO FLUSHING

Amy Nuttall should tone down her bright red cheeks and nose by wearing SkinScience corrective tint Red Out, pounds 28, under her base. And don't pile on the ruddy blusher either.

Words: Lynne Michelle. Pictures: Jamie Bevan/Alpha/Phil Ramey/ XPosure/ Bigpicturesphoto.com/X17.com/Rex Features/Peter Brandt/ Wireimage.com. For where to buy, see p78.